Multi-port communications switch with automated flip emulation

ABSTRACT

Embodiments provide multi-port communications switches with automated flip emulation for multi-orientation data connectors, for example, to test data connector system components. One embodiment includes multiple ports, each with pins adapted to electrically couple with corresponding structures of a data connector when the connector is physically coupled with the port in any of multiple connector orientations. A flip controller couples pins of first and second ports in accordance with a selected configuration, such that: in a first mode, the flip controller effectively emulates the coupled ports being in a same connector orientation; and in a second mode, the flip controller effectively emulates the coupled ports being in different orientations (e.g., as if one of the connectors is flipped over). Some implementations include additional features, such as selective switching between multiple ports, interfacing with external computational controllers, keep-alive charging of idle devices, measurement of electrical characteristics, and data channel processing.

FIELD

Embodiments relate generally to communications switches, and, moreparticularly, to multi-port communications switches having automatedflip emulation for multi-orientation data connectors.

BACKGROUND

Conventional data connectors have tended to have single-orientationinterfaces. For example, Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type A and Bconnectors, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connectors, andother data such data connectors have traditionally been designed to pluginto a corresponding port in one orientation; if the cable is flippedover, it will not physically fit into the port. In recent years,multiple connector systems (including corresponding standards,protocols, etc.) have been designed to interface with their respectiveports in multiple orientations. For example, USB Type C connectors andLightning connectors support rotational symmetry, so that the cables canbe plugged into corresponding ports in at least two orientations (e.g.,if such a connector is flipped over, it can still be plugged in).

Testing such connectors and/or ports can be cumbersome, time consuming,prone to error, and/or otherwise undesirable. For example, a laptop mayinclude multiple USB Type C ports, and it may be desirable to test eachport with a reference device (e.g., a removable storage device, charger,signal generator, etc.) in each of the multiple permitted orientations.Similarly, it may be desirable to test a single USB Type C port on alaptop with multiple types of reference devices in each of the multiplepermitted orientations. Such a test can typically involve a human orrobot plugging each of the one or more reference devices into each ofthe one or more USB Type C ports in each of at least two orientations.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Among other things, systems and methods are described for providingmulti-port communications switches having automated flip emulation formulti-orientation (e.g., rotationally symmetric) data connectors. Forexample, embodiments can be used to test ports, connectors, cables,and/or other data connector system components in a manner that emulatesflipping connector orientations and/or switching among multiple ports.One embodiment includes multiple ports, each with pins adapted toelectrically couple with corresponding structures of a data connectorwhen the connector is physically coupled with the port in any ofmultiple connector orientations. A flip controller couples pins of afirst port with pins of a second port in accordance with a selectedconfiguration, such that: in a first mode, the flip controllereffectively emulates the coupled ports being in a same connectororientation; and in a second mode, the flip controller effectivelyemulates the coupled ports being in different orientations (e.g., as ifone of the connectors is flipped over). Some implementations includeadditional features, such as selective switching between multiple ports,interfacing with external computational controllers, keep-alive chargingof idle devices, measurement of electrical characteristics, data channelprocessing, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described in conjunction with the appendedfigures:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative multi-port communications switchenvironment, according to various embodiments;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show an illustrative implementation of a communicationsswitch system operating in first and second flip modes, respectively,according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows a first testing configuration having an illustrativecommunications switch system coupled between a reference device andmultiple ports of a device under test;

FIG. 4 shows a second testing configuration having an illustrativecommunications switch system coupled between a single port of a deviceunder test and multiple reference devices;

FIG. 5 shows a third testing configuration having two illustrativecommunications switch systems coupled between multiple reference devicesand multiple ports of a device under test;

FIGS. 6A-6C show additional illustrative implementations ofcommunications switch systems, according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of an illustrative method for testingmulti-orientation connector system components using a communicationsswitch system, according to various embodiments.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features can have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type canbe distinguished by following the reference label by a second label thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, onehaving ordinary skill in the art should recognize that the invention canbe practiced without these specific details. In some instances,circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail toavoid obscuring the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative multi-port communications switchenvironment 100, according to various embodiments. The environment 100includes a communications switch system 105 coupled between one or morereference devices 150 and one or more devices under test 160.Embodiments of the communications switch system 105 include a controlinterface processor 120 and a flip controller 130. In some embodiments,the communications switch system 105 includes additional components,such as one or more select controllers 135, one or more keep-alivecharging circuits 145, one or more measuring circuits 147, and one ormore signal processors 140. Some implementations of the communicationsswitch system 105 include a chassis 107 that houses some or all of thecomponents. Some embodiments of the communications switch system 105 canalso include one or more interface ports 175 to interface with one ormore external control systems 170, such as an external computer, testingcontrol hardware, etc.

Embodiments of the communications switch system 105 can be used fortesting ports, connectors, and/or other multi-orientation data connectorsystem components in a manner that includes novel techniques foremulating changes in cable orientation (e.g., cable flips). Recentdevelopments in data connector systems have yielded implementations thatsupport connection in multiple orientations. For example, a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) Type C connector can be designed in a rotationallysymmetric form factor to support plugging the connector into acorresponding receptacle in either of two rotational orientations. Fromthe user's perspective, the connector appears orientation agnostic.However, to implement the orientation-agnostic functionality, the USBType C connection system components include particular features fordetecting and communicating orientation. For example, a typical USB TypeC cable can include circuitry that specifies the orientation of itsconnector (e.g., typically a male plug) when plugged into a mating port,and the mating port (e.g., typically a female receptacle) can includecircuitry to detect the specified orientation. As such, from aconnection system perspective, functionality of the cable may not becompletely agnostic to orientation; and the connector can potentiallyoperate differently and/or more effectively in a particular one of itspermitted orientations. Accordingly, when testing the operation of sucha port or connector, it can be desirable to test all permittedorientations to ensure orientation-agnostic operation from a userperspective.

Embodiments of the communications switch system 105 enable such testingwithout relying on physically connecting and disconnecting interfaces intheir multiple permitted orientations. As a first example, thecommunications switch system 105 is used to test N USB Type C interfacesof a device under test 160 (e.g., USB ports of a laptop, multi-port hub,etc.) against a single USB Type C reference device 150 (e.g., a USBmemory stick, USB charger, etc.). As a second example, thecommunications switch system 105 is used to test N USB Type C referencedevices 150 against a single USB Type C interface of a device under test160. Conventionally, full testing of the ports in either example wouldinvolve manually and sequentially connecting and disconnecting (e.g.,plugging and unplugging) the each of N interfaces in each of twoorientations. Such a conventional approach can lead to damage of theinterfaces (e.g., by rapid and repeated plugging and unplugging),unreliable testing (e.g., by incentivizing the human tester simply topass all devices, or otherwise fabricate results), and/or otherconcerns. Using the communications switch system 105, all one or moreinterfaces of the device(s) under test 160 and all one or more referencedevices 150 can be connected to the communications switch system 105 atone time, and the communications switch system 105 can automaticallyperform any desired changes in interface orientation and/or selection(e.g., switching, routing, etc.) without physical manipulation by anoperator.

The communications switch system 105 includes one or more firstmulti-orientation ports 110 a and one or more second multi-orientationports 110 b. As used herein, terms, such as “multi-orientation” (and“orientation agnostic,” and the like) are intended broadly to describephysical characteristics of a connector system component, including anyconnector system approaches designed to enable physical interfacing ofconnectors with ports in two or more orientations (e.g., as with USBType C and Lightning connector systems, as described above). Otherconnector system designs may support additional orientations, such as aconnector with a square cross-section that supports four orientations.Even if there are orientation-specific differences in electricalfunctionality, pin configurations, and/or the like, the connector isstill considered herein to be multi-orientation or orientation-agnostic.

Each multi-orientation port 110 can include multiple pins. Each “pin”can include one or more conductive structures. As illustrated, the pinscan include a set of (i.e., one or more) power pins 112, a set ofconfiguration channel pins 114, and a set of data pins 116. In someimplementations, each multi-orientation port 110 is a USB Type C portthat includes a power pin 112 (e.g., a “Vbus” pin), two configurationchannel pins 114 (e.g., a “CC1” pin and a “CC2” pin), and eight datapins 116 (e.g., two sideband unit (SBU) pins, four high-speed (HS) datapins, and eight super-speed (SS) data pins). The term “pin” is intendedherein to include one or more suitable signal coupling structures, suchas any suitable raised or recessed conductive structures for inputand/or output of power, configuration, and/or data-related signals.Though embodiments are described herein with reference to pluggingconnectors into ports, and the like, such structures (e.g., terms, like“port,” “connector,” “connector system component,” etc.) are intendedgenerally to include any interface that provides both physical andelectrical interfacing between devices. For example, a connector caninclude a male plug, a female receptacle, or other suitable structureimplemented at an end of a cable, as part of a removable peripheraldevice (e.g., a thumb drive), etc. Similarly, the connector caninterface any suitable port, such as including a male plug, a femalereceptacle, or other suitable structure implemented at an end of a cable(e.g., a captive or removable cable), as part of a device under test160, as part of a reference device 150, as part of a switch or hub(e.g., communications switch system 105), etc. Accordingly, as usedherein, a connector can be said to be “plugged into” a port, or thelike, regardless of whether the connector includes a male plug, femalereceptacle, magnetic interface, etc.

As illustrated, one or more first ports 110 a can be coupled with one ormore second ports 110 b via components of the communications switchsystem 105. Reference to “first” and “second” ports 110 is intended foradded clarity and not to limit particular embodiments. In someimplementations, the first and second ports 110 are physically andfunctionally identical. For example, the ports 110 are all of the sametype, and the communications switch system 105 is implemented in afunctionally symmetric manner (e.g., any port 110 can be used forinterfacing with a reference device 150 or a device under test 160,etc.), and particular functionality of each port 110 can be identifiedmanually (e.g., by a switch), automatically (e.g., by the controlinterface processor 120), or in any other suitable manner. In otherimplementations, the ports 110 are physically and electricallyidentical, but the first ports 110 a and the second ports 110 b differin their functional relationship to other components of thecommunications switch system 105. For example, second ports 110 b can beselectively actuated, while first ports 110 a cannot; first ports 110 aare only for devices under test 160, while second ports 110 b are onlyfor reference devices 150; etc. In still other implementations, some orall of the first ports 110 a are electrically and/or physicallydifferent from some or all of the second ports 110 b.

As illustrated, pins of the first port(s) 110 a can be coupled with pinsof the second port(s) 110 b via the flip controller 130. Embodiments ofthe flip controller 130 emulate a physical change in couplingorientation at one or more of the ports 110. The flip controller 130 caninclude multiple first-side connections coupled with the pins of thefirst port(s) 110 a and second-side connections coupled with the pins ofthe second port(s) 110 b. The flip controller 130 can selectively couplefirst-side connections with second-side connections according to aselected flip mode. In some embodiments, the flip controller 130includes a flip control input coupled with a flip control output of thecontrol interface processor 120. When the control interface processor120 directs the flip controller 130 to be in a first flip mode, the flipcontroller 130 can couple the first-side connections with thesecond-side connections to emulate the first port(s) 110 a and thesecond port(s) 110 b being oriented according to a same connectororientation (e.g., no flip). When the control interface processor 120directs the flip controller 130 to be in a second flip mode, the flipcontroller 130 couples the first-side connections with the second-sideconnections to emulate the first port(s) 110 a and the second port(s)110 b being oriented according to different connector orientations(e.g., emulating a physical flipping of one of the ports 110).

For the sake of illustration, FIGS. 2A and 2B show an illustrativeimplementation of a communications switch system 200 operating in firstand second flip modes, respectively, according to various embodiments.The communications switch system 200 can be an implementation of thecommunications switch system 105 of FIG. 1. The illustrativecommunications switch system 200 has a single first port 110 a and foursecond ports 110 b. Each port is designed according to the USB Type Cspecification, such that each includes seventeen pins: a power pin(Vbus), a first control channel (CC1) pin, a second control panel (CC2)pin, a first sideband unit (SBU1) pin, a second sideband unit (SBU2)pin, a first high-speed data positive (HS D1+) pin, a second high-speeddata positive (HS D2+) pin, a first high-speed data negative (HS D1−)pin, a second high-speed data negative (HS D2−) pin, a first super-speeddata channel transmit positive (SS Tx1+) pin, a first super-speed datachannel receive positive (SS Rx1+) pin, a second super-speed datachannel transmit positive (SS Tx2+) pin, a second super-speed datachannel receive positive (SS Rx2+) pin, a first super-speed data channeltransmit negative (SS Tx1−) pin, a first super-speed data channelreceive negative (SS Rx1−) pin, a second super-speed data channeltransmit negative (SS Tx2−) pin, and a second super-speed data channelreceive negative (SS Rx2−) pin. A ground pin is also shown, which can beimplemented in any suitable manner, which can be directly coupledbetween 110 a, 110 b, and 175.

In FIG. 2A, a first flip mode is illustrated that effectively emulatesno change in orientation over the communications switch system 200 a.For example, the communications switch system 200 a can effectively actas a repeater, or extension cable to a device connected to 110 a or 110b. As per the USB Type C specification, in the first flip mode, powersignals, control channel signals, and high-speed data channel signalscan be passed through (i.e., the Vbus, CC1, CC2, HS D1+/−(“+/−”indicating a differential pair), and HS D2+/− pins of the first port 110a are effectively coupled with the Vbus, CC1, CC2, HS D1+/−, and HSD2+/− pins of second port(s) 110 b, respectively, through thecommunications switch system 200 a); and the sideband unit andsuper-speed data channel signals are cross-coupled between respectivetransmit and receive pins of the ports 110 (i.e., the SBU1, SBU2, SSTx1+/−, SS Rx1+/−, SS Tx2+/−, and SS Rx2+/− pins of the first port 110 aare coupled with the SBU2, SBU1, SS Rx1+/−, SS Tx1+/−, SS Rx2+/−, and SSTx2+/− pins of second port(s) 110 b, respectively, through thecommunications switch system 200 a).

In FIG. 2B, a second flip mode is illustrated that effectively emulatesa flipping in orientation over the communications switch system 200 a.For example, the communications switch system 200 b can effectively actas if a cable coupled with either the first port 110 a or one of thesecond ports 110 b was unplugged, flipped over, and plugged back in. Inthe second flip mode, the power signals continue to be passed through(i.e., the Vbus pin of the first port 110 a is effectively coupled withthe Vbus pin of the second port(s) 110 b through the communicationsswitch system 200 b); but all other pins are rerouted to emulate thechange in orientation (i.e., the CC1, CC2, SBU1, SBU2, HS D1+/−, HSD2+/−, SS Tx1+/−, SS Rx1+/−, SS Tx2+/−, and SS Rx2+/− pins of the firstport 110 a are coupled with the CC2, CC1, SBU1, SBU2, HS D2+/−, HSD1+/−, SS Rx2+/−, SS Tx2+/−, SS Rx1+/−, and SS Tx1+/− pins of secondport(s) 110 b, respectively, through the communications switch system200 b).

Notably, the two flip modes illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B are intendedonly to be illustrative, and any other desired flip modes can beincluded for testing particular types of signal routing cases,particular failure modes, different interface specifications, and/or thelike. In various alternative flip modes, individual pins or sets of pinscan be selectively flipped. For example, one flip mode can flip only theCC pins, and another flip mode can flip only the SBU pins. Further,“mode” is intended herein to refer to any suitable types ofconfiguration setting. For example, switching from a first mode to asecond mode can involve toggling a switch or selector, changing one ormore bit values in a signal, etc. In some implementations, changingmodes can involve multiple steps performed in series or in parallel. Forexample, embodiments are described as involving a flip control output toindicate a selected one of multiple flip modes. In some suchembodiments, the flip control output can indicate a first selected flipmode according to the pins being in one configuration, and the flipcontrol output can indicate a second selected flip mode according tomultiple pins, or sets of pins, having been flipped sequentially overmultiple steps.

Returning to FIG. 1, some embodiments of the communications switchsystem 105 operate in context of one or more universal orientationcables (UOCs). Depending on how the communications switch system 105 isbeing used (e.g., as described in context of FIGS. 3-5 below), a UOC canbe used as one or more of the reference-side cables 155 coupling thecommunications switch system 105 with one or more reference devices 150,and/or as one or more of the DUT-side cables 165 coupling thecommunications switch system 105 with one or more devices under test 160(e.g., or one or more ports of a device under test 160). As describedabove, some multi-orientation cable systems are implemented in such away that the cable or connector detects its orientation and logicallycommunicates the orientation to an interface. For example, a USB Type Ccable, when plugged into a USB Type C port, can detect its orientationand communicate its orientation to the port. As such, any emulatedchange of the orientation by the flip controller 130 may be ineffective.Embodiments of the UOC can effectively mimic a particular type ofmulti-orientation cable (e.g., including the various channels and pinscorresponding to a particular multi-orientation connector system, theconnector form factor, etc.), but without orientation-definingcomponents. When the UOC is plugged into the communications switchsystem 105 and another device (e.g., a reference device 150 or a deviceunder test 160), the cable does not define or communicate anyorientation to the communications switch system 105 or to another deviceat its other end. Accordingly, the UOC can act as an orientationpass-through, so that emulating a port orientation adjustment by theflip controller 130 at the communications switch system 105 can appearas a port orientation adjustment at the device coupled on the other sideof the cable (e.g., the reference device 150 or the device under test160). Some embodiments are implemented as a kit including thecommunications switch system 105 and at least one UOC. In otherembodiments, the UOC may be integrative as a captive, non-removablecable or other non-removal port or plug interface.

Various embodiments of the communications switch system 105 includeadditional components. Some embodiments include a select controller 135.The embodiments of FIG. 1 shows the select controller 135 implementedseparately from, and on one side of, the flip controller 130. In otherimplementations, the select controller 135 can be one the other side ofthe flip controller 130, select controllers 135 can be implemented onboth sides of the flip controller 130, or the select controller 135 canbe integrated with the flip controller 130 (e.g., implemented as asingle integrated circuit). As illustrated, embodiments of the selectcontroller 135 can be coupled with the control interface processor 120,such that the control interface processor 120 can direct the selectcontroller 135 as to which first port(s) 110 a to couple with whichsecond port(s) 110 b at any particular time. For example, the selectcontroller 135 can include a select control input coupled with a selectcontrol output of the control interface processor 120 by which toreceive a signal directing the select controller 135 to selectparticular first and/or second ports 110.

Some embodiments of the select controller 135 include one or moremultiplexers to select which of the first port(s) 110 a is coupled withwhich of the second port(s) 110 b. For example, the select controller135 can include flip-side connections coupled with the second-sideconnections of the flip controller 130; N sets of port-side connections,each coupled with the pins of a respective one of N second ports 110 b(e.g., where N is an integer greater than 1); and a select controllerthat can selectively couple the flip-side connections to any selectedset of port-side connections. As an extension of the example, two suchselect controllers 135 can be coupled on either side of the flipcontroller 130 to enable selective coupling between M first ports 110 aand the N second ports 110 b. In such an implementation, the secondselect controller can include second flip-side connections coupled withthe plurality of first-side connections of the flip controller; M secondsets of port-side connections, each coupled with the pins of arespective one of the M first ports 110 a; and a second selector circuit(e.g., implemented separately, or as a single selector circuit sharedbetween the multiple select controllers 135) to selectively couple thesecond flip-side connections to any selected second set of port-sideconnections.

The select controller 135 effectively provides pathways (e.g., channels,signal paths, etc.) by which signals can be communicated between theports 110. In some embodiments, the select controller 135 furtherincludes selective actuators to selectively interrupt some or all ofthose pathways. For example, each path from a flip-side connection to acorresponding port-side connection can include a switch that can permit,or interrupt, respective signal flow. In some embodiments, the selectiveactuators are controlled automatically by signaling received from thecontrol interface processor 120. Such selective actuation can facilitateexecution of complex testing protocols that selectively introduce and/orremove certain signal paths. For example, such protocols can enabletesting of how a particular device would function if a subset of itssignals were malfunctioning, simulated testing of devices or connectorsthat interface with only a subset of the port 110 pins, etc. In someimplementations, the selective actuators of the select controller 135can additionally or alternatively couple one or more of the signal pathswith an alternative stimulation path. For example, while a particularreference device 150 is coupled with a particular device under test 160through the communications switch system 105, the select controller 135can be used to introduce spurious signals (e.g., noise, etc.) into oneor more signal paths.

Embodiments of the communications switch system 105 effectively formsignal pathways between devices interfacing (e.g., plugged into) thefirst port(s) 110 a and devices interfacing with the second port(s) 110b. In some embodiments, the formed pathways are passive. For example, adata channel signal can be received via a pin of a first port 110 a, cantraverse corresponding connections and electronics of the flipcontroller 130 and the select controller 135, and can be transmitted viaa corresponding pin of a second port 110 b. Notably, however, as asignal passes through the communications switch system 105, the signalcan experience certain types of distortion, such as noise, loss of gainat some or all frequencies, etc. Some embodiments of the communicationsswitch system 105 can include one or more signal processors 140 to helpmitigate such distortive effects. In some such embodiments, the signalprocessor(s) 140 include amplification and/or equalization components toadd gain and/or equalization to some or all signal paths (e.g., only todata paths, etc.). In other such embodiments, the signal processor(s)140 can break one or more of the signal paths to apply more complexprocessing using analog and/or digital signal processing components. Forexample, components can apply various types of filtering (e.g.,band-pass filtering), re-timing, etc.

Some embodiments of the communications switch system 105 include one ormore keep-alive charging circuits 145 and/or one or more measurementcircuits 147. In some cases, one or more devices (reference devices 150and/or devices under test 160) are plugged into, or otherwise interfacedwith, the communications switch system 105, but are not presentlyparticipating in testing. For example, a device is plugged into a port110 of the communications switch system 105, but the port 110 iscurrently deselected by the select controller 135. In such cases, it maybe desirable to leave the device powered-on and operational (e.g., so itwill be available to participate in the testing when selected), butleaving the powered-on can eventually consume its battery power.Accordingly, the keep-alive charging circuits 145 can be used to sourcepower to devices (e.g., idle devices) to help avoid those devicesrunning out of power during execution of a testing protocol.

Some embodiments of the communications switch system 105 include one ormore measurement circuits 147 to measure electrical characteristics ofsome or all of the signal paths. Implementations of the measurementcircuits 147 can, for example, measure voltage and/or current on powersignals associated with the power pins 112 and/or on configurationchannel signals associated with the configuration channel pins 114. Someimplementations can additionally or alternatively measure voltage and/orcurrent on one or more of the data channels associated with some or allof the data channel pins 116. Some implementations can additionally oralternatively monitor and record data on the configuration channelsignals associated with the configuration channel pins 114. Embodimentsof the signal processor(s) 140, keep-alive charging circuit(s) 145,and/or measurement circuit(s) 147 can be disposed on either or bothsides of the flip controller 130. Further, embodiments of the signalprocessor(s) 140, keep-alive charging circuit(s) 145, and/or measurementcircuit(s) 147 can be responsive to (and/or can communicate informationto) the control interface processor 120.

As described above, some or all components of the communications switchsystem 105 can be responsive to control signals from the controlinterface processor 120. The control interface processor 120 can beimplemented as a state machine, as a general purpose processor, as adedicated processor, or in any other suitable manner. Further, thoughillustrated as separate components, one or more of the components of thecommunications switch system 105 can be integrated with the controlinterface processor 120, for example, as part of an integrated circuit,as separate circuits on a single circuit board, etc. Some embodiments ofthe control interface processor 120 operate independently (i.e.,automatically). Some such embodiments include, or are in communicationwith memory, having stored thereon, instructions for executing apredefined (e.g., pre-programmed, selected, etc.) testing protocol. Forexample, the predefined testing protocol can include a series of definedstages in which particular first port(s) 110 a and/or second port(s) 110b are selected by directing the select controller 135; in whichorientations of particular first port(s) 110 a and/or second port(s) 110b are virtually changed (e.g., flipped) by directing the flip controller130; in which various signals are processed by interaction with thesignal processor(s) 140 and/or measured by interaction with themeasurement circuit(s) 147; in which one or more connected devices arepowered by the keep-alive charging circuit(s) 145; etc. The timing,order, settings, and/or other characteristics of each stage of a testingprotocol can be defined in any suitable manner and stored in anyappropriate location that is accessible to the control interfaceprocessor 120. In some embodiments, the control processor includes aninterface port 175 to provide connectivity with one or more externalcontrol systems 170. The interface port 175 can be implementedidentically to the first port(s) 110 a or second port(s) 110 b, or canbe implemented as any suitable wired or wireless port. For example, theinterface port 175 can directly couple with an external control systems170 via a captive cable, via a removable cable, via a wirelessconnection, via one or more communications networks, etc. The externalcontrol system(s) 170 can be implemented as a dedicated control device(e.g., programming hardware designed specifically to interface with thecommunications switch system 105), as a general purpose computerprogrammed to interface with the communications switch system 105, or inany other suitable manner. For example, a computational device can beprogrammed as the external control system 170 with a programming userinterface that uses application programming interface instructions todefine settings of testing protocols. Those defined protocols can beloaded from the external control system 170 to storage of thecommunications switch system 105 accessible to the control interfaceprocessor 120, or those defined protocols can be executed by the controlinterface processor 120 in conjunction with the external control system170 (e.g., the external control system 170 can issue instructions to thecontrol interface processor 120 via the interface port 175, in responseto which the control interface processor 120 can direct correspondingfunctions of components of the communications switch system 105).

Returning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the illustrative implementation of thecommunications switch system 200 includes illustrative implementationsof various components described above. An interface port 175 is shown asa USB Type C port coupled with the control interface processor 120. Inthe particular implementation, a USB power delivery component is coupledwith a portion of the interface port 175, and the high-speed data linesof the interface port 175 are coupled with the control interfaceprocessor 120. The illustrated control interface processor 120 is alsocoupled with a measurement circuit 147 that includes circuits to measurevoltage and current on the Vbus and CC lines associated with the firstport 110 a, and a circuit to measure voltage on the Vbus linesassociated with the second ports 110 b. The control interface processor120 is further coupled with voltage pattern recording of the CC linesassociated with the first port 110 a. The illustrated control interfaceprocessor 120 is also coupled with keep-alive charging circuits 145 oneither side of the flip controller 130 to provide keep-alive chargingfor devices interfacing with any of the first port 110 a or the secondports 110 b. The illustrated control interface processor 120 is alsocoupled with a signal processor 140 to process signals of the high-speedand super-speed data channels associated with the first port 110 a. Someembodiments include additional components, such as indicators (e.g.,LEDs) 205, power systems (not shown), internal memories (not shown),etc.

FIGS. 3-5 show example configurations for using embodiments of thecommunications switch systems, like those of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B. FIG. 3shows a first testing configuration 300 having an illustrativecommunications switch system 105 coupled between a reference device 150and multiple ports of a device under test 160. The communications switchsystem 105 is illustrated as a simplified block diagram having a controlinterface processor 120, a flip controller 130, and a select controller135. The control interface processor 120 is also shown as coupled withan external control system 170 via an interface port.

The communications switch system 105 is coupled with the referencedevice 150 via a first multi-orientation port 110 a and a reference-sidecable 155. In one implementation, the reference device 150 is a deviceimplemented according to a power delivery specification, such as anydevice that operates as a power source (e.g., a USB charger), a powersink (e.g., a smart phone being charged via USB), a power source andsink device, and/or a power analyzer. In another implementation, thereference device 150 is a device that operates as a load, such as aperipheral storage device (e.g., a USB thumb drive, an external harddisk drive, etc.), a powered external electronic device (e.g., aUSB-powered flashlight, fan, etc.), or a specially designed load (e.g.,a load designed to test a 100-Watt or other power specification, etc.).In another implementation, the reference device 150 is a throughputdevice that operates to deliver signals or traffic, such as a USBtraffic or noise generator. In another implementation, the referencedevice 150 is a testing hardware or software device, such as anoscilloscope. The reference-side cable 155 can be implemented, asappropriate for the particular reference device 150. For example, wherethe reference device 150 is a USB memory stick, the reference-side cable155 can be a captive cable, or the reference device 150 can be pluggeddirectly into the first port 110 a without a reference-side cable 155;and where the reference device 150 is a USB charger, the reference-sidecable 155 can be a standard USB cable.

As shown, the communications switch system 105 is also coupled withmultiple ports of a device under test 160 via respectivemulti-orientation ports 110 b-110 e and respective DUT-side cables 165.In one implementation, the device under test 160 is an activecomputational device, such as a laptop or desktop computer with multiplemulti-orientation interfaces. In another implementation, the deviceunder test 160 is a passive multi-port device, such as a multi-port hub,or the like. In some embodiments, each DUT-side cable 165 is implementedas a UOC. Using UOCs can effectively enable the flip controller 130 toemulate a change in orientation of the first port 110 a, and have thatchange in orientation effectively pass through to the ports of thedevice under test 160 without being affected by the DUT-side cables 165.

The configuration of FIG. 3 can be used to execute a testing protocolemulating plugging the reference device 150 into each port of the deviceunder test 160 in each of multiple permitted orientations without manualinteraction by an operator. For example, at a first time, the flipcontroller 130 can be in a first flip mode, and the select controller135 can be set to couple the first port 110 a with a second port 110 b;thereby effectively emulating the reference device 150 being pluggedinto a first port of the device under test 160 in a first orientation.At a second time, the flip controller 130 can be in a second flip mode,and the select controller 135 can continue to couple the first port 110a with a second port 110 b; thereby effectively emulating the referencedevice 150 still being plugged into the first port of the device undertest 160, but now in a second orientation (e.g., flipped over). At athird time, the flip controller 130 can be returned to the first flipmode, and the select controller 135 can now be set to couple the firstport 110 a with a third port 110 c; thereby effectively emulating thereference device 150 being removed from the first port of the deviceunder test 160 and plugged into a second port of the device under test160 in the first orientation. The testing protocol can continue untilall ports of the device under test 160 have been tested in eachpermitted orientation.

FIG. 4 shows a second testing configuration 400 having an illustrativecommunications switch system 105 coupled between a single port of adevice under test 160 and multiple reference devices 150. For the sakeof simplicity, the communications switch system 105 is illustrated insubstantially the same manner as in FIG. 3 and the same referencedesignators are used. As in FIG. 3, the device under test 160 can be anactive or passive computational device, or any other suitable devicehaving a multi-orientation port to be tested. Unlike in FIG. 3, only asingle port of the device under test 160 is being tested in FIG. 4, andthat port is coupled with the first port 110 a of the communicationsswitch system 105. Embodiments of this configuration 400 can use a UOCto couple the device under test 160 with the communications switchsystem 105. The communications switch system 105 is also coupled withfour reference devices 150 via respective multi-orientation ports 110b-110 e and respective reference-side cables 155 (where appropriate). Inone implementation, a first reference device 150 a is a power deliverysink device with a USB Type C super-speed connection interface, a secondreference device 150 b is a power delivery sink device with a USB Type Calternative mode connection interface, a third reference device 150 c isa data device with a USB 2.0 high-speed connection interface, and afourth reference device 150 d is a human interface device with a USB 2.0full-speed connection interface.

The configuration 400 can be used to execute a testing protocolemulating plugging each of the four reference devices 150 into the portof the device under test 160 in each of multiple permitted orientationswithout manual interaction by an operator. For example, at a first time,the flip controller 130 can be in a first flip mode, and the selectcontroller 135 can be set to couple the first port 110 a with the secondport 110 b; thereby effectively emulating the first reference device 150a being plugged into the device under test 160 in a first orientation.At a second time, the flip controller 130 can be in a second flip mode,and the select controller 135 can continue to couple the first port 110a with the second port 110 b; thereby effectively emulating thereference device 150 still being plugged into the device under test 160,but now in a second orientation (e.g., flipped over). At a third time,the flip controller 130 can be returned to the first flip mode, and theselect controller 135 can now be set to couple the first port 110 a withthe third port 110 c; thereby effectively emulating the first referencedevice 150 a being removed from the first port of the device under test160 and, instead, the second reference device 150 b being plugged intothe device under test 160 in the first orientation. The testing protocolcan continue until the device under test 160 has been tested with eachreference device 150 in each permitted orientation.

FIG. 5 shows a third testing configuration 500 having two illustrativecommunications switch systems 105 coupled between multiple referencedevices 150 and multiple ports of a device under test 160. Though shownas two distinct communications switch systems 105, embodiments can beimplemented using a single communications switch system 105. Forexample, a single communications switch system 105 can include multipleflip controllers 130, a single flip controller 130 implementing thefunctionality of multiple flip controllers 130, etc. As illustrated, asingle external control system 170 is coupled with a first controlinterface processor 120 a of the first communications switch system 105a via a first interface port 175 a, and with a second control interfaceprocessor 120 b of the second communications switch system 105 b via asecond interface port 175 b. Alternatively, separate external controlsystems 170 can be used, and the external control systems 170 may or maynot be in communication with each other. Further, as shown, a firstmulti-orientation port 110 a of the first communications switch system105 a is coupled with a first multi-orientation port 110 f of the secondcommunications switch system 105 b via an intermediary cable 510. Insome implementations, the intermediary cable 510 is a standard cable,such as a standard USB cable.

As in FIG. 3, the first communications switch system 105 a is coupledwith multiple ports of a device under test 160 via respectivemulti-orientation ports 110 b-110 e and respective DUT-side cables 165.Multi-orientation ports 110 b-110 e can be selectively coupled with thefirst multi-orientation port 110 a of the first communications switchsystem 105 a via a first select controller 135 a, and the orientation ofport 110 a as seen by ports 110 b-110 e can be determined by a firstflip controller 130 a. As in FIG. 4, the second communications switchsystem 105 b is coupled with multiple reference devices 150 viarespective multi-orientation ports 110 g-110 j and respectivereference-side cable 155, where appropriate. Multi-orientation ports 110g-110 j can be selectively coupled with multi-orientation port 110 f viaa second select controller 135 b, and the orientation of port 110 f asseen by ports 110 g-110 j can be determined by a second flip controller130 b. Depending on the testing protocol, the DUT-side cables 165 and/orreference-side cables 155 can be implemented as standard cables or asUOCs. The configuration 500 can be used to execute a testing protocolemulating plugging each of multiple reference devices 150 into each ofmultiple ports of a device under test 160 in each of multiple permittedorientations without manual interaction by an operator.

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 are intended to illustrate onlysome of the possible implementations of the communications switch system105. FIGS. 6A-6C show additional illustrative implementations ofcommunications switch systems 600, according to various embodiments.FIG. 6A shows an example of a 1:N configuration of communications switchsystem 600 a having a substantially rectangular chassis form factor. The“1:N” designates that there is a single first port 110 a (e.g., showndisposed on one side of the system 600 a) and N second ports 110 b(e.g., four are shown disposed on the opposite side of the system 600a). As described above, any of the four second ports 110 b can beselectively coupled with the first port 110 a, and the orientationemulated across the coupling can be adjusted (e.g., flipped), allwithout manual intervention. The system 600 a can also include aninterface port 175 (shown disposed on a third side of the system 600 a).

FIG. 6B shows an example of a M:N configuration of communications switchsystem 600 b having a substantially rectangular chassis form factor. The“M:N” designates that there are M first ports 110 a (e.g., three areshown disposed on one side of the system 600 b) and N second ports 110 b(e.g., four are shown disposed on the opposite side of the system 600b). As described above, any of the four second ports 110 b can beselectively coupled with any of the three first ports 110 a, and theorientation emulated across any of the couplings can be adjusted (e.g.,flipped), all without manual intervention. The system 600 b can alsoinclude an interface port 175 (shown disposed on a third side of thesystem 600 b).

FIG. 6C shows an example of a 1:N configuration of communications switchsystem 600 c having a substantially circular chassis form factor. Onefirst port 110 a is shown disposed on a top face of the system 600 c.Four of a first type of second port 110 b (e.g., female receptacles) areshown disposed around the circumference of the system 600 c to one sideof the first port 110 a; and four of a second type of second port 110 b(e.g., captive cables ending in male plugs) are shown disposed aroundthe circumference of the system 600 c to the opposite side of the firstport 110 a. As in FIG. 6A, any of the second ports 110 b can beselectively coupled with the first port 110 a, and the orientationemulated across any of the couplings can be adjusted (e.g., flipped),all without manual intervention. The system 600 b can also include aninterface port 175. Other embodiments can include any other suitableform factors, numbers and configurations of cables, etc.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of an illustrative method 700 for testingmulti-orientation connector system components using a communicationsswitch system, according to various embodiments. Embodiments of themethod 700 can be implemented using any of the systems described abovewith reference to FIGS. 1-6C, and/or any other suitable system.Embodiments begin at stage 704 by electrically coupling, at a firsttime, each of multiple pins of a first multi-orientation port with eachof corresponding multiple pins of a second multi-orientation port via aflip controller according to a first flip mode of the flip controller.For example, the flip controller can operate in multiple modes that canbe automatically selected, toggled, etc. In the first flip mode, thesecond multi-orientation port manifests a first logical orientation whena device connector is coupled with the first multi-orientation port in afirst physical orientation.

At stage 708, embodiments can receive a control signal by the flipcontroller directing the flip controller to switch to a second flipmode. For example, the signal can be generated by a control interfaceprocessor, an external control system, or in any suitable manner. Atstage 712, at a second time and responsive to the receiving in stage708, embodiments can second electrically couple each of the pins of thefirst multi-orientation port with each of the corresponding pins of thesecond multi-orientation port via the flip controller according to thesecond flip mode. In the second flip mode, the second multi-orientationport manifests a second logical orientation when the device connector iscoupled with the first multi-orientation port in the first physicalorientation. For example, if a first device is plugged into the firstport, and a second device is plugged into the second port; switchingfrom the first flip mode to the second flip mode can appear to thesecond device as if a connector of the first device was unplugged fromthe first port, flipped over, and plugged back into the first port.

In some embodiments, at stage 702 (e.g., prior to the first electricalcoupling in stage 704), a device of a first device category can becoupled to the first multi-orientation port, and a device of a seconddevice category can be coupled to the second multi-orientation port. Insome such embodiments, the second multi-orientation port is one ofmultiple second multi-orientation ports, and a respective device of thesecond device category can be coupled to each second multi-orientationport. Such embodiments can iteratively perform the first electricallycoupling of stage 704, the receiving of stage 708, and the secondelectrically coupling of stage 712 for each second multi-orientationport (e.g., each iteration corresponds to a respective associatedmulti-orientation port). As part of each iteration, at stage 716, therespective associated second multi-orientation port can be selected forcoupling with the first multi-orientation port. In some implementations,stage 716 is part of stage 704: In each iteration, the firstelectrically coupling at stage 704 includes coupling the plurality ofpins of the first multi-orientation port with each of the correspondingplurality of pins of the respective associated second multi-orientationport.

In some embodiments, the first device category is a port of a deviceunder test, and the second device category is a reference device. Forexample, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the method 700 can beused to automatically emulate iteratively plugging each of multiplereference devices into a single port of a device under test in each ofmultiple permitted orientations. In other embodiments, the first devicecategory is a reference device, and the second device category is a portof a device under test. For example, as described with reference to FIG.3, the method 700 can be used to automatically emulate iterativelyplugging a single reference device into each of multiple ports of adevice under test in each of multiple permitted orientations.

The methods disclosed herein include one or more actions for achievingthe described method. The method and/or actions can be interchanged withone another without departing from the scope of the claims. In otherwords, unless a specific order of actions is specified, the order and/oruse of specific actions can be modified without departing from the scopeof the claims.

The functions described can be implemented in hardware, software,firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, thefunctions can be stored as one or more instructions on a tangiblecomputer-readable medium. A storage medium can be any available tangiblemedium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and notlimitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other tangible medium that can be usedto carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions ordata structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc,as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc,digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray® disc where disksusually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce dataoptically with lasers.

A computer program product can perform certain operations presentedherein. For example, such a computer program product can be a computerreadable tangible medium having instructions tangibly stored (and/orencoded) thereon, the instructions being executable by one or moreprocessors to perform the operations described herein. The computerprogram product can include packaging material. Software or instructionscan also be transmitted over a transmission medium. For example,software can be transmitted from a website, server, or other remotesource using a transmission medium such as a coaxial cable, fiber opticcable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wirelesstechnology such as infrared, radio, or microwave.

Further, modules and/or other appropriate means for performing themethods and techniques described herein can be downloaded and/orotherwise obtained by suitable devices, or the like, to facilitate thetransfer of means for performing the methods described herein.Alternatively, various methods described herein can be provided viastorage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage medium such as a CD orfloppy disk, etc.) to devices. Moreover, any other suitable techniquefor providing the methods and techniques described herein to a devicecan be utilized. Features implementing functions can also be physicallylocated at various positions, including being distributed such thatportions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

In describing the present invention, the following terminology will beused: The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example,reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term“ones” refers to one, two, or more, and generally applies to theselection of some or all of a quantity. The term “plurality” refers totwo or more of an item. The term “about” means quantities, dimensions,sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other characteristics neednot be exact, but can be approximated and/or larger or smaller, asdesired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, roundingoff, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those ofskill in the art. The term “substantially” means that the recitedcharacteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, butthat deviations or variations including, for example, tolerances,measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factorsknown to those of skill in the art, can occur in amounts that do notpreclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.Numerical data can be expressed or presented herein in a range format.It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely forconvenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly toinclude not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limitsof the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individualnumerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if eachnumerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration,a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should be interpreted to include notonly the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but alsoinclude individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range.Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2,3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as 1-3, 2-4 and 3-5, etc. This sameprinciple applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value (e.g.,“greater than about 1”) and should apply regardless of the breadth ofthe range or the characteristics being described. A plurality of itemscan be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these listsshould be construed as though each member of the list is individuallyidentified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual memberof such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any othermember of the same list solely based on their presentation in a commongroup without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms“and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are tobe interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items canbe used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term“alternatively” refers to selection of one of two or more alternatives,and is not intended to limit the selection to only those listedalternatives or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unlessthe context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “coupled” as usedherein does not require that the components be directly connected toeach other. Instead, the term is intended to also include configurationswith indirect connections where one or more other components can beincluded between coupled components. For example, such other componentscan include amplifiers, attenuators, isolators, directional couplers,redundancy switches, and the like. Also, as used herein, including inthe claims, “or” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least oneof” indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “atleast one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC(i.e., A and B and C). Further, the term “exemplary” does not mean thatthe described example is preferred or better than other examples. Asused herein, a “set” of elements is intended to mean “one or more” ofthose elements, except where the set is explicitly required to have morethan one or explicitly permitted to be a null set.

Various changes, substitutions, and alterations to the techniquesdescribed herein can be made without departing from the technology ofthe teachings as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope ofthe disclosure and claims is not limited to the particular aspects ofthe process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means,methods, and actions described above. Processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or actions, presently existingor later to be developed, that perform substantially the same functionor achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding aspectsdescribed herein can be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claimsinclude within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or actions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-port communications switch comprising: afirst port and a second port, each port having a plurality of pinsadapted to electrically couple with corresponding structures of a dataconnector when the connector is physically coupled with the port in anyof a plurality of connector orientations; a control interface processorhaving a flip control output to indicate a selected one of a pluralityof flip modes; and a flip controller coupled with the control interfaceprocessor, having a plurality of first-side connections coupled with theplurality of pins of the first port, and having a plurality ofsecond-side connections coupled with the plurality of pins of the secondport, such that: in response to the flip control output indicating afirst flip mode, the flip controller couples the first-side connectionswith the second-side connections to emulate the first port and thesecond port being oriented according to a same one of the connectororientations; and in response to the flip control output indicating asecond flip mode, the flip controller couples the first-side connectionswith the second-side connections to emulate the first port and thesecond port being oriented according to different ones of the connectororientations.
 2. The multi-port communications switch of claim 1,wherein the plurality of pins of each port is rotationally symmetric. 3.The multi-port communications switch of claim 1, wherein each port hasthe plurality of pins adapted to electrically couple with correspondingstructures of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type C connector.
 4. Themulti-port communications switch of claim 1, wherein: the plurality ofpins of each port comprises: a first control channel (CC1) pin, a secondcontrol panel (CC2) pin, a first data channel transmit positive (Tx1+)pin, a first data channel receive positive (Rx1+) pin, a second datachannel transmit positive (Tx2+) pin, a second data channel receivepositive (Rx2+) pin, a first data channel transmit negative (Tx1−) pin,a first data channel receive negative (Rx1−) pin, a second data channeltransmit negative (Tx2−) pin, a second data channel receive negative(Rx2−) pin, a first sideband unit (SBU1) pin, and a second sideband unit(SBU2) pin; in response to the flip control output indicating the firstflip mode, the flip controller couples the CC1 pin, the CC2 pin, theTx1+ pin, the Rx1+ pin, the Tx2+ pin, the Rx2+ pin, the Tx1− pin, theRx1− pin, the Tx2− pin, the Rx2− pin, the SBU1 pin, and the SBU2 pin ofthe first port to the CC1 pin, the CC2 pin, the Rx1+ pin, the Tx1+ pin,the Rx2+ pin, the Tx2+ pin, the Rx1− pin, the Tx1− pin, the Rx2− pin,the Tx2− pin, the SBU2 pin, and the SBU1 pin of the second port,respectively; and in response to the flip control output indicating thesecond flip mode, the flip controller couples the CC1 pin, the CC2 pin,the Tx1+ pin, the Rx1+ pin, the Tx2+ pin, the Rx2+ pin, the Tx1− pin,the Rx1− pin, the Tx2− pin, the Rx2− pin, the SBU1 pin, and the SBU2 pinof the first port to the CC2 pin, the CC1 pin, the Rx2+ pin, the Tx2+pin, the Rx1+ pin, the Tx1+ pin, the Rx2− pin, the Tx2− pin, the Rx1−pin, the Tx1− pin, the SBU1 pin, and the SBU2 pin of the second port,respectively.
 5. The multi-port communications switch of claim 1,wherein the second port is one of N second ports, N being a positiveinteger greater than 1, and further comprising: a select controllerhaving: a plurality of flip-side connections coupled with the pluralityof second-side connections of the flip controller; N sets of port-sideconnections, each set of port-side connections coupled with theplurality of pins of a respective one of the N second ports; and aselector circuit to selectively couple the plurality of flip-sideconnections to any selected one of the sets of port-side connections. 6.The multi-port communications switch of claim 5, wherein the selectcontroller further comprises: a plurality of selective actuators, eachcoupled between a respective one of the flip-side connections and arespective one of the port-side connections, each to selectivelyinterrupt signal flow between the respective flip-side connection andthe respective port-side connection automatically in response tosignaling received from the control interface processor.
 7. Themulti-port communications switch of claim 5, wherein the selectcontroller is a first select controller, the first port is one of Mfirst ports, M being a positive integer greater than 1, and furthercomprising: a second select controller having: a second plurality offlip-side connections coupled with the plurality of first-sideconnections of the flip controller; M second sets of port-sideconnections, each second set of port-side connections coupled with theplurality of pins of a respective one of the M first ports; and a secondselector circuit to selectively couple the second plurality of flip-sideconnections to any selected one of the second sets of port-sideconnections.
 8. The multi-port communications switch of claim 5, whereinthe plurality of pins of each of the second ports comprises a power pin,and further comprising: a keep-alive charging circuit coupled with thepower pins to source power to a device coupled with a non-selected oneof the second ports via the respective power pin of the non-selected oneof the second ports.
 9. The multi-port communications switch of claim 1,further comprising: an interface port coupled with the control interfaceprocessor to receive control commands from an external computationalsystem, the flip control output being responsive to the controlcommands.
 10. The multi-port communications switch of claim 1, furthercomprising a captive cable terminating in one of the first port or thesecond port.
 11. The multi-port communications switch of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first port or the second port comprises afemale receptacle having the respective plurality of pins disposedtherein.
 12. The multi-port communications switch of claim 1, furthercomprising: a chassis having, housed therein, the first port, the secondport, the control interface processor, and the flip controller.
 13. Themulti-port communications switch of claim 1, further comprising: asignal processor circuit coupled between data channel pins of theplurality of pins of the first port and corresponding ones of thefirst-side connections to adjustably apply gain to data signalscommunicated via the data channel pins.
 14. The multi-portcommunications switch of claim 1, further comprising: a signal processorcircuit coupled between data channel pins of the plurality of pins ofthe first port and corresponding ones of the first-side connections toapply signal processing to data signals communicated via the datachannel pins.
 15. The multi-port communications switch of claim 1,further comprising: a measurement circuit in electrical communicationwith at least some of the plurality of pins of at least one of the portsto measure electrical characteristics of signals communicated via the atleast some of the plurality of pins.
 16. A kit comprising the multi-portcommunications switch of claim 1, and further comprising: a universalorientation cable adapted to physically and electrically interface withat least some of the plurality of pins of at least one of the first portor the second port without electrically or physically defining itsorientation.
 17. A method for testing multi-orientation connector systemcomponents using a communications switch system, the method comprising:first electrically coupling, at a first time, each of a plurality ofpins of a first multi-orientation port with each of a correspondingplurality of pins of a second multi-orientation port via a flipcontroller according to a first of a plurality of flip modes of the flipcontroller, such that the second multi-orientation port manifests afirst logical orientation when a device connector is coupled with thefirst multi-orientation port in a first physical orientation; receivinga control signal by the flip controller directing the flip controller toswitch to a second of the plurality of flip modes; and secondelectrically coupling, at a second time and responsive to the receiving,each of the plurality of pins of the first multi-orientation port witheach of the corresponding plurality of pins of the secondmulti-orientation port via the flip controller according to the secondflip mode, such that the second multi-orientation port manifests asecond logical orientation when the device connector is coupled with thefirst multi-orientation port in the first physical orientation.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the second multi-orientation port is one ofa set of second multi-orientation ports, and further comprising:coupling a device of a first device category to the firstmulti-orientation port; coupling a respective device of a second devicecategory to each second multi-orientation port; and iterativelyperforming the first electrically coupling, the receiving, and thesecond electrically coupling for each second multi-orientation port,such that each iteration corresponds to a respective associatedmulti-orientation port, wherein, in each iteration, the firstelectrically coupling comprises coupling the plurality of pins of thefirst multi-orientation port with each of the corresponding plurality ofpins of the respective associated second multi-orientation port.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the first device category is a device undertest, and the second device category is a reference device.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the first device category is a referencedevice, and the second device category is a device under test.